The Inferno:The Inferno: Into the InfernoInto the Inferno

FeracoFeraco

Myth to Science FictionMyth to Science Fiction

27 October 201427 October 2014

Dante was born in late May or early Dante was born in late May or early June of 1265, under the constellation June of 1265, under the constellation Gemini. His mother would pass away five Gemini. His mother would pass away five years later, with his father following years later, with his father following roughly a decade later, leaving Dante roughly a decade later, leaving Dante parentless before he reached what we parentless before he reached what we consider the age of adulthood.consider the age of adulthood.

When one reads When one reads The InfernoThe Inferno, Dante , Dante clearly wants the reader to avoid the clearly wants the reader to avoid the misery of isolation. He believed very misery of isolation. He believed very strongly in the idea of belonging to strongly in the idea of belonging to something larger (i.e., society), and drew something larger (i.e., society), and drew comfort from that; one wonders whether comfort from that; one wonders whether his particular familial history contributes his particular familial history contributes to his ideas.to his ideas.

Fortunately, his father remarried Fortunately, his father remarried before he died, providing Dante with both before he died, providing Dante with both additional company and educational additional company and educational opportunities.opportunities.

Dante’s literary studies as a youth brought Dante’s literary studies as a youth brought him into close contact with many significant him into close contact with many significant writers, although scholars differ vociferously as writers, although scholars differ vociferously as to who actually influenced Dante. For example, to who actually influenced Dante. For example, Brunetto Latini (who we find in the third round of Brunetto Latini (who we find in the third round of the seventh circle) taught Dante the seventh circle) taught Dante “how man “how man becomes eternal” – i.e. how man can live on becomes eternal” – i.e. how man can live on forever through his impact on the world, such as forever through his impact on the world, such as through writing. through writing. Dante also met Guido Dante also met Guido Cavalcanti, another poet of renown, at this time; Cavalcanti, another poet of renown, at this time; Cavalcanti would play a pivotal role in the future.Cavalcanti would play a pivotal role in the future.

But most importantly, Dante also But most importantly, Dante also encountered a girl named Beatrice Portinari. He encountered a girl named Beatrice Portinari. He first met her at the age of nine, and instantly fell first met her at the age of nine, and instantly fell in love; he did not see her again until she was 18. in love; he did not see her again until she was 18.

Beatrice married – and died – young, Beatrice married – and died – young, passing away at 25. She appears in Dante’s passing away at 25. She appears in Dante’s works alternately as the object of his love and as works alternately as the object of his love and as the inspiration for his art.the inspiration for his art.

Dante entered a world – Dante entered a world – medieval Florence, Italy – that was medieval Florence, Italy – that was coming apart at the seams.coming apart at the seams.

We see Florentine society divide We see Florentine society divide along factional fault lines time and along factional fault lines time and again during the 13again during the 13thth and 14 and 14thth centuries, like a cell that continues centuries, like a cell that continues dividing without properly replacing dividing without properly replacing the substance it’s lost.the substance it’s lost.

The first divides appeared – as The first divides appeared – as they always seem to – between those they always seem to – between those who craved change and those who who craved change and those who wished to preserve the status quo.wished to preserve the status quo.

Prior to Dante’s birth, Florence operated Prior to Dante’s birth, Florence operated as a largely feudal – and stratified – society. But as a largely feudal – and stratified – society. But as Florence’s trade market boomed, the feudal as Florence’s trade market boomed, the feudal underclass grew wealthier, and the city’s underclass grew wealthier, and the city’s cultural makeup began shifting as they cultural makeup began shifting as they integrated themselves into the Florentine integrated themselves into the Florentine economy.economy.

There were forces that wished to see There were forces that wished to see society fall under even more direct church society fall under even more direct church control (the Guelphs) and landed aristocrats control (the Guelphs) and landed aristocrats who swore to uphold the principles of who swore to uphold the principles of feudalism and service to an emperor (the feudalism and service to an emperor (the Ghibellines). The Ghibellines supported the old Ghibellines). The Ghibellines supported the old order, while the Guelphs supported the new.order, while the Guelphs supported the new.

As these things often go, new supplanted As these things often go, new supplanted old, old tried to re-supplant new and failed, and old, old tried to re-supplant new and failed, and new proceeded to try establishing a death grip new proceeded to try establishing a death grip on the power it just obtained.on the power it just obtained.

The Guelphs eventually drove the The Guelphs eventually drove the Ghibellines from power, and successfully Ghibellines from power, and successfully repelled counterattacks over the next few repelled counterattacks over the next few years – including a particularly effective one a years – including a particularly effective one a year after Dante entered the world, led by year after Dante entered the world, led by Farinata degli Uberti (whom Dante will see in Farinata degli Uberti (whom Dante will see in Hell). And as the years passed, Florence Hell). And as the years passed, Florence became an almost-uniformly Guelph city.became an almost-uniformly Guelph city.

Dante’s family, while nominally composed Dante’s family, while nominally composed of Guelphs, wasn’t very politically active. of Guelphs, wasn’t very politically active. Dante, however, was: We see him enroll in the Dante, however, was: We see him enroll in the Guild of Physicians and Apothecaries – one had Guild of Physicians and Apothecaries – one had to be a Guild member in order to serve in to be a Guild member in order to serve in government – and quickly ascend the political government – and quickly ascend the political ladder. He even marries Gemma Donati and ladder. He even marries Gemma Donati and begins fathering children. (He confesses in begins fathering children. (He confesses in later works that he felt unfaithful to Beatrice’s later works that he felt unfaithful to Beatrice’s memory as a result.)memory as a result.)

In the meantime, the dominant In the meantime, the dominant Guelphs, having grown complacent Guelphs, having grown complacent after thirty years of unchallenged after thirty years of unchallenged power, began to split into factions. power, began to split into factions. By the time Dante had moved from By the time Dante had moved from an ambassadorial position to a spot an ambassadorial position to a spot as a supreme magistrate (a.k.a. as a supreme magistrate (a.k.a. “prior”) in 1300, Guelph unity had “prior”) in 1300, Guelph unity had given way to the Neri (“Blacks”) and given way to the Neri (“Blacks”) and Bianchi (“Whites”) factions. Bianchi (“Whites”) factions.

Corso Donati – Gemma’s brother Corso Donati – Gemma’s brother – led the Blacks, while Guido – led the Blacks, while Guido Cavalcanti led the Whites.Cavalcanti led the Whites.

Dante only needed to serve as a prior Dante only needed to serve as a prior for two months; the role, although for two months; the role, although extremely elite (only six men served as extremely elite (only six men served as priors at any given moment), was a short-priors at any given moment), was a short-lived one if one proved ineffective.lived one if one proved ineffective.

He was a moderate White, a member He was a moderate White, a member of the dominant faction.of the dominant faction.

And when the priors moved to dispel And when the priors moved to dispel some of the tensions by banishing Corso some of the tensions by banishing Corso Donati and Guido Cavalcanti…Donati and Guido Cavalcanti…

……Dante went along with them.Dante went along with them. I find this particularly interesting, I find this particularly interesting,

considering that betrayal serves as the sin considering that betrayal serves as the sin Dante punishes most viciously in Dante punishes most viciously in The The Inferno.Inferno.

Meanwhile, having lost a great Meanwhile, having lost a great deal of influence during this deal of influence during this particular period, the Blacks decided particular period, the Blacks decided to make a power play. They were to make a power play. They were more loyal to Pope Boniface VIII – a more loyal to Pope Boniface VIII – a man who would become Dante’s man who would become Dante’s arch-nemesis – and begged him for arch-nemesis – and begged him for intervention.intervention.

Boniface, as well as the larger Boniface, as well as the larger church, craved more control over church, craved more control over Florence and its politics. To achieve Florence and its politics. To achieve this end, Boniface sent a this end, Boniface sent a “peacemaker”, Charles of Valois, “peacemaker”, Charles of Valois, who assumed direct control in the who assumed direct control in the Pope’s name.Pope’s name.

Charles’s ostensible “peacemaking” didn’t Charles’s ostensible “peacemaking” didn’t last long. He allowed the Blacks to take power last long. He allowed the Blacks to take power once he situated himself in Florence (over the once he situated himself in Florence (over the Whites’ vociferous objections), and the Neri Whites’ vociferous objections), and the Neri faction immediately began murdering and faction immediately began murdering and pillaging its old rivals. This power shift quickly pillaging its old rivals. This power shift quickly gave way to a series of trials meant to purge gave way to a series of trials meant to purge remaining White elements from the system.remaining White elements from the system.

When the trials began, Dante had already When the trials began, Dante had already traveled outside of Florence as part of a group traveled outside of Florence as part of a group intending – ironically – to “intending – ironically – to “appeal for a change appeal for a change in papal policy towards the city and to protest in papal policy towards the city and to protest the machinations of the Neri.”the machinations of the Neri.”

He was convicted of crimes He was convicted of crimes in absentiain absentia – – graft (essentially skimming money he was graft (essentially skimming money he was supposed to allot for other purposes) and supposed to allot for other purposes) and corruption (fraudulent activity in office) – that corruption (fraudulent activity in office) – that pop up again in pop up again in The Inferno’sThe Inferno’s Malebolge. Malebolge.

At first, Dante stayed away At first, Dante stayed away voluntarily, apparently hoping that things voluntarily, apparently hoping that things would blow over (an unrealistic hope, would blow over (an unrealistic hope, considering that the Pope silently backed considering that the Pope silently backed Charles’s moves).Charles’s moves).

When he was sentenced to When he was sentenced to immolation in 1302, however, his exile immolation in 1302, however, his exile became mandatory.became mandatory.

““To [Dante], a penniless exile To [Dante], a penniless exile convicted of a felony, separated under convicted of a felony, separated under pain of death from home, family, and pain of death from home, family, and friends, his life seemed to have been cut friends, his life seemed to have been cut off in the middle.”off in the middle.”

Between the time of his exile and his Between the time of his exile and his death in 1321, Dante traveled all over death in 1321, Dante traveled all over Italy, staying with patrons, studying Italy, staying with patrons, studying philosophy, and writing while perpetually philosophy, and writing while perpetually eying Florence’s still-turbulent politics.eying Florence’s still-turbulent politics.

Other exiles pinned their hopes on Other exiles pinned their hopes on the various fights that still broke out the various fights that still broke out between the Ghibellines (remember between the Ghibellines (remember them? Still going at it) and the dominant them? Still going at it) and the dominant Blacks. True, if the Ghibellines returned Blacks. True, if the Ghibellines returned to power, it would probably be the end to power, it would probably be the end of the Florence they’d built…but at least of the Florence they’d built…but at least they’d get to go home.they’d get to go home.

Dante, however, refused to turn on Dante, however, refused to turn on his city, choosing instead to reject all his city, choosing instead to reject all party designations and become “a party party designations and become “a party by himself.”by himself.”

His intentions were undercut in His intentions were undercut in 1315, when the Ghibellines had gathered 1315, when the Ghibellines had gathered enough strength to attack the Guelphs enough strength to attack the Guelphs once more.once more.

This led to Dante’s being branded as a This led to Dante’s being branded as a Ghibelline and a rebel (this was also true of many Ghibelline and a rebel (this was also true of many other “enemies”), crimes punishable by other “enemies”), crimes punishable by decapitation. For those keeping score, this meant decapitation. For those keeping score, this meant Dante had moved from being burned to being Dante had moved from being burned to being beheaded.beheaded.

And while one may see this as a distinction And while one may see this as a distinction without a difference – both being ways to kill a without a difference – both being ways to kill a man they weren’t going out of their way to catch man they weren’t going out of their way to catch – Dante’s sentence in 1315 carried a different – Dante’s sentence in 1315 carried a different wrinkle: While his sons with Gemma had wrinkle: While his sons with Gemma had previously been spared punishment, they were previously been spared punishment, they were alsoalso included in the sentence – even though included in the sentence – even though they’d never seen Dante after 1302.they’d never seen Dante after 1302.

Yet one year later – 1316 – Dante was Yet one year later – 1316 – Dante was offered a chance to return to Florence. All he had offered a chance to return to Florence. All he had to do was meet certain conditions, conditions to do was meet certain conditions, conditions which happened to be designed to humiliate him which happened to be designed to humiliate him (the public payment of a heavy fine, the public (the public payment of a heavy fine, the public performance of penance, etc.).performance of penance, etc.).

Dante refused.Dante refused.

Is this, then, the glorious recall of Is this, then, the glorious recall of Dante Alighieri to his native city, after the Dante Alighieri to his native city, after the miseries of nearly fifteen years of miseries of nearly fifteen years of exile?...No! This is not the way for me to exile?...No! This is not the way for me to return to my country. If another can be return to my country. If another can be found that does not derogate from the found that does not derogate from the fame and honor of Dante, that will I take fame and honor of Dante, that will I take with no lagging steps. But if by no such with no lagging steps. But if by no such way Florence may be entered, then will I way Florence may be entered, then will I enter Florence never. What! Can I not enter Florence never. What! Can I not everywhere behold the sun and stars? Can everywhere behold the sun and stars? Can I not under any sky meditate on the most I not under any sky meditate on the most precious truths, without first rendering precious truths, without first rendering myself inglorious, nay ignominious, in the myself inglorious, nay ignominious, in the eyes of the people and city of Florence? eyes of the people and city of Florence?

Dante’s time with his patrons (most Dante’s time with his patrons (most notably Cangrande della Scala, a man Dante notably Cangrande della Scala, a man Dante greatly admired and hoped would lead greatly admired and hoped would lead Florence out of its darkness) came to an end Florence out of its darkness) came to an end when he grew sick and died at the age of 56 when he grew sick and died at the age of 56 of malaria.of malaria.

He didn’t quite make it through his He didn’t quite make it through his “alloted” 70 years (although, in all fairness, “alloted” 70 years (although, in all fairness, he couldn’t have foreseen such a thing while he couldn’t have foreseen such a thing while writing writing The InfernoThe Inferno).).

Even so, Dante embodies Latini’s lesson; Even so, Dante embodies Latini’s lesson; our fascination with him is greater than with our fascination with him is greater than with any other figure from his era. any other figure from his era.

He left a philosophical, linguistic, and He left a philosophical, linguistic, and literary legacy that would be the envy of any literary legacy that would be the envy of any man – a legacy we’ll study in greater detail as man – a legacy we’ll study in greater detail as we continue examining his most enduring we continue examining his most enduring work.work.

----------

As for his famous creation, Dante doesn’t As for his famous creation, Dante doesn’t invent Hell so much as remix it. He takes the invent Hell so much as remix it. He takes the general idea of an afterlife reserved for those general idea of an afterlife reserved for those who deserved punishment and fused it with both who deserved punishment and fused it with both old ideas and his own concepts regarding justice old ideas and his own concepts regarding justice and morality.and morality.

Aristotle, for example, inspired Dante’s Aristotle, for example, inspired Dante’s hierarchy of incontinence, viciousness hierarchy of incontinence, viciousness (“brutishness”), and malice; we have the She-(“brutishness”), and malice; we have the She-Wolf, the Lion, and the Leopard. Wolf, the Lion, and the Leopard.

(In some translations, the Leopard (In some translations, the Leopard represents incontinence, and the she-wolf represents incontinence, and the she-wolf represents fraud. This may explain the apparent represents fraud. This may explain the apparent inconsistency between how greatly Dante fears inconsistency between how greatly Dante fears the she-wolf and how “mildly” his Hell treats sins the she-wolf and how “mildly” his Hell treats sins of incontinence; another explanation could of incontinence; another explanation could simply be that Dante tends to ease up on the sins simply be that Dante tends to ease up on the sins he feels more personally tied to…)he feels more personally tied to…)

Sins of incontinence or desire are Sins of incontinence or desire are punished in circles two through five, those punished in circles two through five, those whose sins involved violence occupy circle whose sins involved violence occupy circle seven, and perpetrators of fraud are seven, and perpetrators of fraud are consigned to circles eight and nine.consigned to circles eight and nine.

Having established fairly Aristotlean Having established fairly Aristotlean foundations for his Hell, Dante turns to foundations for his Hell, Dante turns to medieval Christian doctrine in order to medieval Christian doctrine in order to identify both which sins should be identify both which sins should be cataloged and where each belongs.cataloged and where each belongs.

This is why we see most of the Seven This is why we see most of the Seven Deadly Sins, and why even the Virtuous Deadly Sins, and why even the Virtuous Pagans – those who were good people, but Pagans – those who were good people, but lacked faith – end up in Limbo, the first lacked faith – end up in Limbo, the first circle.circle.

With that said, Dante does add his own With that said, Dante does add his own touches to Hell. Limbo, for example, had been touches to Hell. Limbo, for example, had been pre-established within doctrine – but it was pre-established within doctrine – but it was meant for the souls of, say, unbaptized children. meant for the souls of, say, unbaptized children. Dante’s placement of the great artists who’d Dante’s placement of the great artists who’d lived and died before Christ’s birth in the same lived and died before Christ’s birth in the same circle represents some fairly significant circle represents some fairly significant editorializing on his part.editorializing on his part.

Another one of Dante’s touches is more Another one of Dante’s touches is more chilling; he argues that those who betray their chilling; he argues that those who betray their guests have their souls ripped from their bodies guests have their souls ripped from their bodies at the moment of betrayal, and that demons at the moment of betrayal, and that demons inhabit their empty shells from then on.inhabit their empty shells from then on.

Finally, Dante’s “vestibule” – the place just Finally, Dante’s “vestibule” – the place just outside of Hell reserved for cowards, as well as outside of Hell reserved for cowards, as well as the angels who did not side with God – is his own the angels who did not side with God – is his own invention. Given the events of Dante’s life, it’s invention. Given the events of Dante’s life, it’s not surprising that he’s disgusted with those not surprising that he’s disgusted with those whose morals are defined by their opportunism, whose morals are defined by their opportunism, and who refuse to choose between good and evil.and who refuse to choose between good and evil.

Dante now has a conceptual framework of Dante now has a conceptual framework of Hell, rationale for its organization, and an idea of Hell, rationale for its organization, and an idea of where he’ll go over the course of his journey. where he’ll go over the course of his journey.

But what goes But what goes inin Hell? Even though it’s an Hell? Even though it’s an allegory, we can only buy into it if we believe in allegory, we can only buy into it if we believe in the physical experiences Dante presents. the physical experiences Dante presents.

The InfernoThe Inferno documents a spiritual journey documents a spiritual journey exclusively in physical metaphor, so Hell can’t exclusively in physical metaphor, so Hell can’t just be a conceptual place – it needs to be just be a conceptual place – it needs to be populated. We have to sense things – see great populated. We have to sense things – see great beasts, confront monsters, witness torments – beasts, confront monsters, witness torments – and shudder at the horrors we experience; then, and shudder at the horrors we experience; then, and only then, can we begin unpacking what and only then, can we begin unpacking what each thing “really means.” This was a book born each thing “really means.” This was a book born of anguish, after all – an attempt by a single man of anguish, after all – an attempt by a single man to resolve the questions that harried him. Unless to resolve the questions that harried him. Unless we engage with we engage with The InfernoThe Inferno at an emotional (as at an emotional (as well as intellectual) level, we can never connect well as intellectual) level, we can never connect with Dante at his.with Dante at his.

In order to fill his empty Hell, Dante reaches In order to fill his empty Hell, Dante reaches back into mythology, religious texts, and epics. back into mythology, religious texts, and epics.

Virgil’s Virgil’s AeneidAeneid, which features a , which features a protagonist’s visit to the Land of the Dead, protagonist’s visit to the Land of the Dead, provides both a point of comparison and provides both a point of comparison and contrast. While Virgil’s underworld was much contrast. While Virgil’s underworld was much less physically realistic than Dante’s, the various less physically realistic than Dante’s, the various creatures, rivers, and geographical features the creatures, rivers, and geographical features the former employed serve much the same purpose former employed serve much the same purpose in in The Inferno.The Inferno.

Raffa notes that Dante and Virgil both use Raffa notes that Dante and Virgil both use Charon, Minos, Cerberus, Plutus, Phlegyas, the Charon, Minos, Cerberus, Plutus, Phlegyas, the Furies, the Minotaur, the Centaurs, the Harpies, Furies, the Minotaur, the Centaurs, the Harpies, Geryon, and the Giants: Each serves both as Geryon, and the Giants: Each serves both as allusion and as metaphor within Dante’s allegory.allusion and as metaphor within Dante’s allegory.

Clearly, Dante’s choice of Virgil as his guide Clearly, Dante’s choice of Virgil as his guide through Hell isn’t arbitrary; who better to know through Hell isn’t arbitrary; who better to know how to deal with the monsters we find than the how to deal with the monsters we find than the man who documented them over a millennium man who documented them over a millennium earlier?earlier?

In conclusion, Dante’s Hell is In conclusion, Dante’s Hell is both his own and not his own, a both his own and not his own, a fusion of original thought and fusion of original thought and respect for the stories of the past.respect for the stories of the past.

Dante’s journey through it, Dante’s journey through it, however, is his own – and it’s that however, is his own – and it’s that journey through fire and ice that journey through fire and ice that we’ll study for the next few weeks!we’ll study for the next few weeks!